@raymondz7a

Yes, I would guess that's correct, it looks exactly like it, although there are others very similar these days. You're lucky to have that one. It wilted on me the only time I had it, so I gave up on it. Lovely combination with the Cephalotaxus..

@Marlorena - Thank you - do you know if this can be propagated?

@raymondz7a

Yes you can propagate clematis but I've never done it. You have to cut lengths of stem between nodes, rather than the usual method for other plants of just below a node. Best to check on that for better advice, but I gather they root quite well.

Ahhh, Marlorena, we can always count on you for lovely photos and that wonderful garden setting! I must obtain a similar variety to 'Burma Star.' This year, I received 'Diamantina', such large double blooms, too bad I hadn't snapped a photo prior to pruning it back when planting. "Kiri Te Kanawa', was disappointingly not available from the vendor and my money refunded. My big disappointments this spring being I had carefully dug and moved 'Blue Light' late last autumn and now it's totally sulking, and 'Perle d'Azur' has wilted, hopefully it comes back to grace the veranda in a few months. We've been decent good for moisture so far, though the awful WINDS have now very much dried things out, thankfully a significant multi day rain is approaching as I write, hopefully though won't be swimming in a few days time, the balance of mother nature seems more than a bit out the window these days!

Raymondz7a, yes, I'm in agreement it appears you have 'Jackmanii Superba', indeed a variety having become challenging to obtain for the myriad of times it's now mislabeled. As for propagation, I've easily been successful with semi ripened cuttings taken from stem prior to flowering, these can root rather quickly as compared to those of ripened brown wood, but not impossible with those, just takes longer. Strike cuttings into a peat / perlite / sand mixture and tent over with plastic and maintain in a semi shaded place, be careful to never overwater, keep the soil just nicely barely moist.

'Reflections', this one has an ethereal appearance.

FrozeBudd.. thanks, .. and for the propagation info.. I knew you would know..

That 'Reflections' is most unusual, I don't think I've seen one like that before..

Mega rain on the way here too apparently - summer storms..

Pity about 'Perle d'Azur', that's usually so vigorous, nothing can stop it.. hopefully it rebounds.. I was advised recently that, over feeding with liquid feed can cause wilting in clematis that wouldn't normally be susceptible to it. Did you liquid feed? There may be some truth in this as recently I liquid fed a young 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' which is viticella, and it promptly wilted back to ground. I don't normally liquid feed either.

Marlorena, now what a very timely comment, YES I just liquid fed 'Perle d'Azur' less than a week ago and then wilting began to occur within four days upon both strong established plugs of the variety! You know, because of the timing, I had considered there just might possibly be a connection, thanks for confirming this, I'll for sure avoid ever doing so again! I have another 'Perle d'Azur' in similar siting that certainly now shall not be receiving a feeding! In the past, I never had feed my in ground large flowered hybrids, they always just grew as gangbusters, I think they only wish for compost, if anything at all.

Yesterday, I finally got the dahlias in the ground, these were potted and becoming upset with me for the delay, lol. Also, I moved around about 30 nepeta plants, what tough things, in full flower and mostly all soil falling from the roots, they don't care just plant into nicely prepared ground and give a watering and feeding and they hardly notice the disturbance! Now, is time for me to rest a bit, been pushing too hard of late and have little left within ... time for a coffee and possibly a rain day afternoon snooze, lol. :)

Cuttings taken about a week ago from growth being just nicely firmed, I discard the overly tender tips and those with flower buds, as well as the tough browned stems. Some of this foliage is a bit beaten up, as some cuttings taken from plants arriving in the mail.

FrozeBudd.. best of luck with those cuttings, I'm sure you know what you're doing... I wouldn't..

How coincidental about the feeding. It was actually a clematis nursery here that advised on this, so had to assume they knew what they were talking about. I was sceptical at first. They advised a friend of mine who grows clematis and he told me, on the Roses forum here. It's overfeeding and causes the stems to collapse..

So we won't be doing that again ..

Yes hope you enjoyed a nice rest after those Nepetas.. I no longer grow them as the couple I tried proved invasive at the roots, but I've heard 'Walker's Low' is good..

I used to grow the Happy Single series of Dahlias, I liked those very much but don't have any this year.. I'm more into Phlox and Penstemons..

Phlox is of my favorites, never can resist obtaining a few here and there, though just like many things, over and through the years, only a few have remained with me, 'Olympus' being a new favorite for both the variegated foliage and amethyst colored blooms. Unfortunately, my cold winters do in all too many of the penstemon, otherwise am sure I'd jump on the bandwagon with those!

As for nepeta, 'Cat's Pajamas' has been called the gold standard, and I'd tend to agree, early flowering, almost a bit overly so, wish it held off for when more of my garden is in bloom, the variety has superior darker healthy foliage, is sturdy and covered in color, and apparently also is sterile, yes other varieties seed about for which I also have removed for various reasons in favor of 'Cat's Pajamas.'

I'd like more dahlias, but it all comes at the price of having to tend an already enormous amount of work, as difficult as it be, I must limit myself, would be all too easy to grow 50 varieties!

As for 'Jackmanii Superba', really is a shame such a desirable and historic variety has become so challenging to obtain for being replaced by a myriad of other blues and purples, even large reputable nurseries often do not stock the real deal, thus 'JS' has literally become nearly obscure!

FrozeBudd... Oh of course Penstemons might not be for you in your location, I had forgotten that.. I have several varieties. Like you I also had a lot more Phlox at one time but down to just 3 or 4 types now.. I especially like the Sweet Summer series of Phlox.

I can still get J. Superba and Jackmanii here, in fact my favourite online nursery has J. Superba in stock for 3-5 day delivery, but I'm not getting it. Perhaps I should as I know they have the correct one from their photos.

Unfortunately some plants of J. Superba sold here turn out to be 'Gipsy Queen', but the way to tell is that Gipsy Queen has red/purple anthers, whereas J. Superba has creamy/green ones, just like you see in the photos from raymondz7a earlier.. and what the nursery I use sells.. which is why I felt sure he had the correct one..

Like you say, there are so many purple types around now that perhaps are easier to grow as well. The go to Clematis in that colour is 'Etoile Violette', and that's almost foolproof.

I'd not heard of Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas' before but find I can get that one quite easily and you are right, it's quite a compact and long flowering type. Cats are a problem here and they roll in them, that was another reason why I got rid of mine, as I try to keep neighbouring cats out of the garden.

Another 'Jackmanii Superba' imposter, more funds down the drain ... I already have 'Romantika' very nearby and only wish for one of this particular variety, as well I place most of my large flowered clematis along the south side of my home where they're generally more protected from weather events, space is at a premium!

Marlorena, I should look better into the penstemon, seems there's all very many that could manage, especially as protective insulating snow cover is generally rather consistent. Ahhh, but those phlox are favorites, one I lost and now having trouble again attaining is 'Fashionably Early Flamingo', I have the white form, though the lavender much more to my liking, when I see white, I think snow, lol.

When it comes to cats, I previous had occasional issue with nepeta being made mess of, though of late the numbers of feral cats has very drastically declined, this year only once have seen a cat passing through, there's foxes around, mmmm, I wonder?

Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas.'

FrozeBudd.. well it's quite a nice one actually, but yes it's not what you wanted.. I find I put up with wrong plants for a time, then they're gone..

Now that's a lovely border showing off your Nepetas.. I especially like the Berberis, I have some of those.. 'Bagatelle' which is the same colour and 'Admiration', which is redder.. plus tall narrow one 'Red Rocket'..

C 'Voluceau'.. I like this very much..

'Princess Diana'.. rampant..

...with 'Margaret Hunt'.. 'Voluceau'.. and bits of 'Roguchi' bottom left..

Marlorena, I apologize for taking so long to return to this thread. How has your summer been, I understand some very intense temperatures endured, has the heat subsided? My region has been the rather very opposite, plenty of cool weather and some nights almost downright chilly, rains have been decent adequate, all in all rather good and pleasant growing conditions thus far, but am sure a blast of heat is yet likely to arrive.

I very long ago had grown 'Voluceau', though it seems to have for the most part gone missing from the market. Ahhh, 'Princess Diana' is a true beauty, mine had some leaf spotting issue last summer and after cutting it back and resprouting, this year it did not return, I'll definitely seek another!

Sadly, the 'Perle d'Azure' that had up and wilted, it then did so yet again that both of the established plugs have now perished, there's nothing much even remaining when I dig down a bit to take a peak, soooo I guess it's just not meant to be in that particular location where it was paired with 'Pernille', thankfully another set at the edge of my garage is so far holding up, the color is wonderful on this variety, just too bad there exists a bit of a wind tunnel in this location.

'Perle d'Azur'

'Fairy Dust'

'Ville de Lyon' is among my all time favorites, such a classy bloom!

'Venosa Violacea' is exceptionally vigorous and as well is its sport 'Fairy Dust'

'Tie Dye' is fun!

Unfortunately, I will be removing 'Romantika', both plants the blooms become covered in mildew, too bad, it's a beautiful variety!

FrozeBudd, oh hi, I just got a notification of your post, so thought to reply right now..

Your clems all looking good, I'm intrigued by 'Fairy Dust' actually, I'd like one I think, in fact I like it very much indeed.

Yes been awful hot and dry here for a very prolonged period. We've had hotter days but not for so long, it's just cooling down a bit and some rain, but not much. Sounds like we got your weather and you got ours. I'd like my normal summer back.

I've had a good show mostly except from 'Niobe' due to the dry weather I think, it was ok at first, picture below, but not as floriferous and long lasting. Hardly anything on it now. Others have been ok, my best is always 'Star of India', it never fails to put on a good long lasting show.

'Princess Diana' I'm getting tired of, it's hugely rampant and getting a bit much for me as it smothers everything, but it's pretty when it flowers though.

These pics are not recent but most are still flowering.

'Princess Diana' / 'Voluceau' / and 'Margaret Hunt'.. white Jasmine..

'Niobe' I've seen it a lot better.. a paltry show this year..

'Star of India'.. my very best Clematis, and still looks like this today..

..the white rose is 'Sally Holmes'..

Shame about one of your 'Perle d'Azur' that's usually a good do-er, vigorous and never had a problem with it other than it can grow very large. You've been a bit unlucky there with that one, must be location then as the other looks fine.

I can't make my mind up about 'Tie Dye', do you like it? I dunno, something about that white splash..

..speak again soon !..

I can't make my mind up about 'Tie Dye', do you like it?

@Marlorena, I am definitely not garden wizard @FrozeBudd_z3/4 ;) but I do have experience with a single "Tie Dye", one we have had for now about 10 years. There is so much to like about this particular clematis.

Here it is from 2020

And 5 years later on a different obelisk (8 feet tall):

I dunno, something about that white splash..

Here it is up close:

(When it is cloudy it shows quite blue, in the sunny condtions, more purple.)

But I am seriously thinking of replacing it. More often than not, nearing the end of blooming, stem after stem "gives up the ghost" and so one sees unsightly dead stems all the way through. I'm sure it isn't 'wilt' and it isn't rabbits and as this clematis is front and centre, well it bugs me enough that I may replace it.

But I hope you do decide to plant one @Marlorena.

@rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)

Hi rouge, thanks for the photos, looks lovely in your garden but I know most things do actually, remembering from old..

It looks spectacular on your obelisk, with the various shades of green as backdrop, - grows very tall doesn't it.. shame you're having 2nd thoughts but I know what you mean. I'm still not sold on it myself, and yeah, it is those splashy white markings.. Maybe if I saw it in a garden here I might think differently, but not so far and I usually like quirky plants. The dead stems would also put me off. Seen that a lot this year though with the drought in England. Some of mine look terrible that would normally be in full flower now.

I bought 'Huldine' this Spring and my first flowers will be opening soon. Excited about that.

Great to speak to you again..

I bought 'Huldine' this Spring

Funny you mention this as I was musing about Huldine as a possible replacement but I think it would eventually swamp an 8 foot obelisk?

(Thanks @Marlorena)

Marlorena, ohhh, I had 'Star of India' in front me last spring, I stood there attempting to untangle the interwoven vines and got frustrated and walked away to meander among other plants ... definitely regret such after seeing your 'Star of India' ... well, that nursey isn't too far off, maybe I'll stop in on Tuesday!

Yes, 'Fairy Dust' is unique, a very light lavender grey with dark stamens, a color that some would understandably bypass as being too pale, though there's an ethereal beauty about it, not a top ten favorite of mine, though having something that draws and keeps my eye. 'Princess Diana' was the opposite for me, a rather restrained compact grower, but 'Duchess of Albany' grew in leaps! 'Perle d'Azur', yes please, I hope the one plant will remain healthy, a color so pleasing on a plant of such vigor!

Oh, I forgot to post of 'Pernille', a beauty, though is missing its companion 'Perle d'Aure'

Tie Dye', seems mine isn't as splashy as most photos on the internet, I set it in a not so prominent location for not exactly being sure of my feelings, I admire the thing, though am not in love.

Marlorena, I'm always enthralled with your gardens and the tapestry you've painted for yourself! I know you as well love garden phlox, so here's a few photos.

'Rainbow Dancer'

An an assortment of varieties

Rouge, very good to see you have popped on by, the forum is not the same without you, of course you know many have inquired of you! :)

@FrozeBudd_z3/4

...thanks, and yes you need 'Star of India'.. get in there... I'm glad you are not in love with 'Tie Dye' as that makes me feel a whole lot better.

I wish I had got 'Pernille' now, I bought the similar 'Asao' instead, and it's not done well for me at all. I might replace as I can't get 'Fairy Dust' unfortunately.

Phlox are gorgeous, I have some pink ones too, but my best this year are the whites, namely 'Rembrandt' and 'Mt Fuji'.. maybe due to shady site, not dried out so much.

@rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)

.. re 'Huldine, no I don't think it would be suitable as I'm finding out. This 'Huldine' is another rampant type, it's grown 10-12 feet from the spring planting already, despite pinching out the growing tips.. I planted it 5 feet from an arch aiming in a different direction, but it wanted none of that and made a bee line straight for the arch, which it's now climbed.. I suppose on the obelisk you could let it all hang out there, but I've a feeling it will end up on the ground as well.. I'm thinking 15 feet for this one..

..speak soon guys..

Actually chaps, I haven't quite finished.. meant to show this one.. 'Prince William'.. I thought this must be good but I'm really disappointed and won't be recommending it to anyone.. It's fairly new here.

The flowers are small, don't open out fully and soon disintegrate leaving just the stamens. It's a good grower but it doesn't stand out for me. Soon to be gone I think.

I did my greenhouse search and no 'Star of India' to be found, hopefully next year, though won't hold my breath. 'Romantika' is so covered with mildew and color so dark and unwelcoming for the front door entrance that it just has to go.

'Pernille' has quickly climbed to the top of my favorites, in only its second summer and very vigorous and heavy flowering, just too bad 'Perle d'Azur' decided not to stick around to keep it company. Now, though to find 'Pernille' another companion and am considering 'Duchess of Cornwall' might be the one, it certainly is rather vigorous beyond the stated 5 or 6 ft height.

Thanks for the heads up about 'Prince William', I was intrigued though shall pass if ever it become available. 'Princess Kate' is now just flowering years after having received the most puny tiny bareroot with a big price tag attached, bloom is truly beautiful!

'Comtesse de Bouchaud' is favorite of many, too pale for my liking, though its sport 'Barbara Harrington' (shown) and the very similar 'Remembrance' are upliftingly bright.

'Huldine', yes, is rampant vigorous, almost course, I honestly did not care for it and removed it from the garden.

I'm over my head here since I have tried and failed many times to grow clematis, but I have just listened to my 'a way to garden' podcast and a lovely Ukrainian woman talked about clematis, in case it's of interest :

https://awaytogarden.com/talking-clematis-with-alla-olkhovska/

@lat62

That was really interesting, thank you. All credit to her for gardening in a war zone and she has so many lovely clematis, unusual types.

FrozeBudd

'Barbara Harrington' is exceedingly bright indeed, you couldn't miss that one.

'Princess Kate' is one to keep, I should have got that one instead.

Oh Clematis gurus, I have been reading this thread for a few years and thinking about these lovely vines. I’ve been considering planting them along my 5’ chain link fence.

Is there a reason NOT to do this?

I’m thinking they don’t get woody (like my Lonicera sempervirens), and could be cut back each spring if I buy type 3?

I would appreciate any advice you might want to give.

@indianagardengirl

Hello... Yes I think gr. 3 types are the best as they tend to be easier generally, and you can cut them down even to ground level in early Spring but some of them can be rampant and grow very quickly. I'm in England so I have no idea about your growing conditions but chain link fences are usually very suitable for clematis as it gives them something easy to cling to. They don't usually mind which aspect either, but on such a fence, it could happen that a lot of the flowers are on the other side, if it's your neighbours, i.e. not your viewing side. Just something to consider.

I like herbaceous types as well, and they are treated like gr. 3.

Lat62, thank you for that, I had read an indepth article regarding this lady and have friend that has ordered seeds from her, she though has not replied to his recent messages, I just hope all is okay considering the terrible circumstance of war, seems man will never learn nor shall he hold the earth's environment in high regard, it's always of profit and power!

I was only a kid in early teenage years when leaning that large flowered clematis can survive and even thrive in zone 3, well especially so when being planted along the foundation of one's house. Set deeper and provided with winter protection, (though, I don't always get around to doing so) they can manage fine out in the garden, just too bad wilt is an issue with some types.

Marlorena, 'Princess Kate' is a gem, opening a slightly uninspiring buttery cream color with subdued pinkish mauve reverse, that cream then lightens to a lovely cottony white with a faint pink blush cast as the underside then intensifies, dark stamens creating a dramatic effect, could not get much prettier, so glad I planted it out front of my window!

Indianagardengirl, Marlorena has covered the matter well regarding the chain link fencing, and yes, the important consideration of orientation of fencing, the sunny side is where the flowers will want to direct themselves, a good thing to keep in mind! Also, I shall add that clematis love a good deep and loose root run, the better the soil the more outstanding the results ... poor soils, hard clay or hardpan not being to their liking.

One more to round out the season, 'Ashva' ...

Can't resist, here's 'Ashva' as of today ... sure is attractive!

Am confident no one could venture correct guess upon the below one ... it's 'Ville de Lyon' ... no, not a seedling, the small plant is badly mildewed, yellowed and tuckered out end of the season that sometimes those last blooms depart from the norm ... though, shall hold a tiny bit of hope for it being a sport that again shows next year, can only hope! :)

Skies are filled with choking smoke that burns the throat ... thankfully, this summer hasn't yet been so bad in that regard, but the last half decade has been a yearly occurrence and I honestly hold very little hope of what the future is to bring. Looking back upon all my years, it was a rare occurrence to experience smoke filled skies, now is the norm! :(

Since I was in the big city today, thought I might as well go the extra distance and head off wayyyy to the northeast to one of my favorite nurseries. As I walked about the place, heck there it was, the true 'Jackmanii Superba', thought best to snap up two of them!

'Pernille' just never stops, I believe this is it's forth wave of bloom, would have been heavy continuous in flower had I only provided it with an additional drink here and there, the color is very striking! Oh, it has set a number of seeds I'll later collect and attempt to grow.

For those wondering of the difference between 'Jackmanii Surperba' (left) and 'Jackmanii' (to the right) ...

Pernille is beautiful!! I hope Phoenix Perennials will sell it again in 2026!

Mazerolm, yes, 'Pernille' is a good and vigorous one, have had a few hundred blooms in this the second year and growing to 7 or 8 ft. I hope as well to see Phoenix Perennials carry other new and interesting varieties, I especially prefer the taller growing types over shorter growers. Are the 'Emilia Plater' beginning to establish among your wild cherry trees?

Emilia Plater: I wish, but I didn’t receive the correct clematis. Two of them turned out to be purpurea plena and the other one is a large light pink flower. I was very disappointed this year when I realized I did not have any Emilia Plater. I ordered some more from Wildwood, and I think this time I got the right ones.

Those mislabeled clematis were received from Wildwood as well, or? My disappointment being that from Phoenix I was sent 'Giselle' rather than 'Josephine', don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with 'Giselle', though 'Josephine' is a bit extra special and flowers rather freely upon new wood, yes even when cut right back to near the ground, here's to hoping to get a hold of it in '26.

Yes, the mislabeled ones were from Wildwood. But they’re the only ones who sold Emilia Plater and Blue Boy at such a great price. That’s why I ordered from them again. The ones planted this year all bloomed, so at least this time they were labeled correctly. That’s too bad for your Giselle/Josephine. Will you order Josephine again?

I've been fortunate so far with plants being true from Wildwood .... I did let Phoenix know of the mislabeled 'Josephine', though had not request a refund and shall try again with statement of hoping to obtain the real deal!

Pernille' has quickly climbed to the top of my favorites, in only its second summer and very vigorous and heavy flowering,

Clematis has got to be the genus with some of the most species/varieties. It seems to me that almost all the varieties of clematis that one sees at brick and mortar nurseries is Proven Winners and Raymond Evison offerings. And so, for example, it may only be practical to say obtain Pernille through an on line purchase.

Yes, Proven Winners and Raymond Evison have their limited range of offerings, as well Evison tends to focus on compact growers suitable for containers, whereas I prefer taller more vigorous types, not that he doesn't have a few of those in his collection ... 'Reflections' and 'Duchess of Cornwall are not just glorious, but vigorous as well. Yes, we must appreciate places such as Phoenix Perennials that bring in some choice newer introductions from around the globe, 'Pernille' is something else!

At first glance "Phoenix Perennials" is the only Canadian site making any reference to "Pernille". Crazy expensive shipping to my location :(.

(@FrozeBudd_z3/4, looking at some descriptions of "Pernille" it would seem that it wouldnt be able to survive your winter/spring ie z5...do you take extra care with it in the Fall re protection?)

Rouge, thankfully, many clematis are apparently hardier than stated. I do though plant all of the large flowered types with a good 3 inches of stem below ground. As the ground begins to freeze in late autumn, I cut down them down and heap over with a good deal of dry grass and leaf clippings, clematis planted snug up near the cement foundation of my home do not get this protection applied for the heat that transfers through the foundation wall. You're certainly correct, postage has become more than a bit outrageous these days, sometimes can easily add an additional $80.00 to my order! :(

The last of the season and a very lovely clematis it is, 'Duchess of Cornwall' (Camilla? ... eeek!, lol), a lovely rosy mauvy blue upon first opening and turning a "royal" blue as it ages, camera did not capture that latter shade very well though. This clematis is stated to grow to 4 or 5 ft, though is already to 6 ft first year within its pot, I bet when established can easily grow to 8 + ft, something I'm actually hoping for!

Just have a very small potted 'Warsaw Nike' to wait upon the first bloom, hurry up!

FrozeBudd, I planted Duchess of Cornwall and the rabbits ate her up! LOL. My sister and I joke around that she would never, ever plant, a Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall clematis - never! Unfortunately, for me, I tried growing the Princess Diana clematis and she just doesn't make it through our harsh winters.

Bellarosa ... I wasn't aware of Camilla having held title of Duchess of Cornwall for the little attention I pay to the Royal Family, it was only later I realized I had purchased a Camilla clematis, LOL.

For years, I was unable to bring myself to buy namesake clematis 'Prince Charles', but hearing such glowing reports, I finally caved and it's honestly the masses of light blue blooms, vigor and a good bit of height to it make it rather outstanding! Then, one day I held 'Princess Diana' to it and well, the unthinkable, you couldn't get a more beautiful pairing up! Unfortunately, I no longer have either clematis, 'Princess Diana' was slow to establish and bulk up, but when it finally did, heck the following year it just up and perished. Last spring I planted another and the foliage became all badly spotted up and again it was lost, I love this clematis and guess will keep trying, maybe in another location, next to Camilla? LOL.

I planted Duchess of Cornwall and the rabbits ate her up

@bellarosa, it is not unusual for our clematis to be eaten down during the spring/summer :( . When I remember and am not lazy I do protect the bottom foot or so with chicken wire.

FrozeBudd, Don't you dare plant Camilla next to Diana clematis. LOL

Same here - I never paid much attention to the Royal titles and drama, although I did love and admired Diana. Yes, 'Prince Charles' and 'Diana' clematis look great together. As for the 'Duchess of Cornwall' clematis, well, once I found out who it was named after, I sorta didn't mind the bunnies eating her up! LOL.

Rouge, I do normally add chicken wire around my new clemmies, but this 'Duchess of Cornwall' is going to have to tough it out! The roots should be fine and hopefully, next year, she will rebound..

'Reflections' is rather a ethereal beauty!

Thankfully, 'Princess Diana' is readily available and I'll try yet again for the third time! Whereas, I haven't seen 'Prince Charles' offered within Canada for a long time, too bad as it's a top performer!

Bellarosa, did 'Duchess of Cornwall' at least do some resprouting after having been eaten down by the bunnies? I'm afraid a young plant often does not have the resilience of reserves to enable rebound as do more established plants. Spring of '24, I planted a 'Perle d'Azur', had been two plugs within the pot, this spring both had wilted after having grown 4 o 4 5 ft tall, one resprouted before again wilting, later I checked to find nothing left remaining of the stems or roots.

Hi FrozeBudd, yes, DOC is still alive. I thought she was a goner for sure! I might try growing 'Princess Diana' again next as I remember that the blooms were quite beautiful. I'll make sure to plant them far apart..lol

Bellarosa, I haven't yet decided upon placement for the "Duchess of Cornwall", gosh I really am tempted to misspell that name, LOL.. Today, was rather pleasant so took advantage to get a few clems planted up, the fewer in pots over the winter the better! Also, I see my go to Canadian listing is up and running for '26, though nothing much new offered, but still will snap up another 'Princess Diana' and three or four others I've had in the past and lost, I do tend to kill many plants, though as well some clematis just have that annoying habit of wilting and outright dying from it, so discouraging on expensive hard to come by plants!

Hey FrozeBudd, no worries on misspelling DOC - LOL! I will definitely look to plant another "Princess Diana" clemmie somewhere in my garden. I remember that her flowers were just beautiful - more so than DOC! LOL

@FrozeBudd_z3/4 your thread, 5 years old and still active as heck.

Rouge, as we continue to obtain newer varieties, I hope folks wish to share photos and experience. BC based Phoenix Perennials brings in many newer releases, though mostly of Evison's compact selections, whereas I have preference for taller sorts .... thankfully, ones such as 'Reflections' have the vigor I seek. I'm hoping to get a few germinations from open pollinated seeds collected this autumn. Next summer, I might again attempt a bit of clematis breeding, is exciting to have one's own clematis selections, really not difficult to obtain beautiful and unique results!

This is a great thread @FrozeBudd_z3/4....I get the excited when I receive an email indicatiing there is a new post :).